The Brooklyn Nets are favorites on the NBA betting lines as they play host to the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time this season. The latest news, stats, and injury reports show that both teams are dealing with a variety of injuries, but most notably with Milwaukee hence why they are the underdogs. This should still be a significant game.
Milwaukee Bucks (25-15) vs Brooklyn Nets (24-12)
Nets Have Struggled At Home
Brooklyn is 24-12 and sitting pretty as the second seed in the East. But on the online sports betting lines, the Nets have been a disaster. The Nets are just 14-21-1 against the spread (ATS). As a favorite, they have the worst ATS record: 10-21-1 in the NBA.
This is worse at home where Brooklyn is just 3-14-1 ATS (9-9 straight-up). The Nets have only covered the spread at Barclays Center once in their last 11 games. This is partly due to injuries but mainly to their newish style of play.
Brooklyn has sacrificed offense (12th overall) for defense (7th overall). Their focus on stopping opponents, especially the elite, from scoring has helped them win close games though at the expense of the spread.
Bucks Will Turn To Their Superman
His name is Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” will have to be even freakier this Friday as Milwaukee will be missing the likes of Jrue Holiday, Pat Connaughton, and Grayson Allen due to quarantine. That is over 41 points the team will need to replace.
Bucks guard Jrue Holiday has entered health and safety protocols and is listed out vs. Brooklyn on Friday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 6, 2022
Milwaukee is 2-5 without Holiday. They are 18.4 points better when he’s on the floor and will have a depleted backcourt with backup point guard George Hill also on protocol. Antetokounmpo has been a one-man wrecking crew but can he carry Milwaukee against Brooklyn?
The Bucks are just 8-7 against teams above .500 and just 1-5 as a road underdog. The odds are not in their favor. But Milwaukee has won three straight against Brooklyn making them an interesting underdog bet online.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Head to Head
| Milwaukee | Stat | Brooklyn |
| 7-3 | Record | 3-7 |
| 6-4-0 | Point Spread | 4-6-0 |
| 1-8-1 | Over/Under | 1-8-1 |
| 108.10 | Average Score | 106.90 |
| 55.90 | Half Time | 53.80 |
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Game Information
- Date: January 7, 2022
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: Barclays Center
- Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Betting Lines
| Milwaukee | Brooklyn | |
| +135 | Moneyline | -150 |
| +5 (-110) | Point Spread | -5 (-110) |
| 229 (-110o) | Total | 229 (-110u) |
Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets Prediction
The best player on the floor will be Antetokounmpo, which gives Milwaukee an edge. The two-time MVP cannot be stopped on the inside as he averaged 31.9 points in the playoffs against Brooklyn. But the absence of Holiday and the lack of depth for Milwaukee will hurt.
The Bucks are also without center Brook Lopez, who will make them more vulnerable on the interior. And as bad as Brooklyn’s track record has been, they did beat the similarly shorthanded 76ers at home. Brooklyn is 4-1 ATS against Milwaukee in their last five home games. The Nets’ bench only average 30 points, but this could be the difference against the depleted Bucks’ bench.
Pick: Nets -5 (-110)
This will feel like a playoff game as the Nets turn it up against the best Eastern Conference teams. Twelve of Brooklyn’s home games have gone under thanks to their offense slowing down at home. Milwaukee has the third-best offense on the road but the absences of Holiday and co. will make it a tad harder to score.
